Former Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael has signed up for another family drama – this time on stage.

The actress, best known for her role as Lady Edith Crawley in the ITV period drama, will star in Apologia, a play about “family and its secrets”.

Carmichael will play Trudi in Alexi Kaye Campbell’s play, directed by Jamie Lloyd, at London’s Trafalgar Studios.

Laura Carmichael
Laura Carmichael (Matt Crossick/PA)

Stockard Channing and ex-Doctor Who star Freema Agyeman have previously been announced for the new production.

Carmichael said she was “thrilled to be joining this wonderfully talented cast” of Apologia.

“Alexi Kaye Campbell’s play deeply moved me, as well as making me laugh. It really took me through every emotion, so I think audiences will be in for a treat,” she said.

Freema Agyeman
Freema Agyeman (Ian West/PA)

Carmichael previously appeared on stage at the same London venue in The Maids.

Lloyd has enjoyed success with his productions of Macbeth starring James McAvoy and Richard III featuring Martin Freeman.

Hopes of a Downton Abbey film recently gained more momentum when Michael Edelstein, president at NBCUniversal International Studios, said: “There’s a movie in the works. It’s been in the works for some time.”